I listened closely to the Charlie M version vs this and I must say this copy runs a little more clear and crisp without missing the bass. Bobby's performance really rings true and its a good chance to capture all that drive behind the band. His playing inspired me when I was a young player just strumming chords until I learned how to put a riff together. This show has a new mix on the 50th Anvrsy release.

Pretty good show.
The Dead are learning the new tunes and adjusting to life with one drummer.
I really dig the Loser.
You can really hear Billy slamming the drums.
There are 27 songs here and only Wharf Rat
and Good Lovin clock in over 10 minutes.
In a way it is like getting 2 first sets!
Easy Wind- I actually like the changes of direction inside this Easy Wind plus you got Pigpen playing Harmonica.

Better because Bill K seems to me to be settling into being the only GD drummer and getting his head around the newer numbers. Overall its a really nice performance, the band are getting down and learning their new material, concentrating on the songs in this case, and not as much on the jams. The result is a well played and emotional concert. It's not exactly perfect, and it wouldn't be a Grateful Dead concert if it was, but it's damn good. Easy Wind for example is funky and sublime. Some of the other stuff is hit or miss but I like the garage band on steroids sound of it.

Overall a solid performance from an above-average run. First set starts out strong through Easy Wind, then seems to lose steam until the closing GSET > JBG. Nothing too special in between.
Same goes for the second set. Good China/Rider and Bird Song to start, then about average until the concluding Good Lovin' which is high energy and tight.
Great sound, but there are better shows from this run.

Embarassing mix up in Easy Wind. Ron gets lost, and the rest of the band temporarily follows him

This is a grate show in spite of Mickeys absence.

Another very fine performance, though this one is not jammed as well as the previous three nights. This transfer has more punch than either of the Orf remasters, but it falls just a touch short of the very lively recordings of the previous night, and it's difficult to hear Jerry during the first half of the show. Weir is right up front in the mix on this one, and it showcases just how well he was playing on this run. He's really in the groove and it shows.
Again, the the guitar tones are gorgeous, though the playing is not quite as tight as the preceeding shows, and the set lists are not as exciting. Still, it's a dynamite performance and the energy level is a bit higher than the night before.
The band is still working out the new material, but several of the renditions sound quite good. Loser is terrific, thanks in no small part to Weir's rhythm guitar. A couple tracks are not well played though, and Ripple is not nearly as fine as the performance from the night before, the band seems to be having trouble staying in tune. It's still lovely, pity they didn't stick with it.
The China/Rider segue is nice, again thanks to some solid Weir guitar work. Ditto for Bird Song, all jangly with Weir guitar. Garcia finally steps up on Cumberland Blues. It's not particularly tight, but Jerry's leads are punchy and it's an interesting performance.
They're making progress with Wharfrat. This one is stretched out a bit, though I'm not sure if it's any better than the gorgeous performance from the night before. A nice raunchy jam during King Bee preceeds a scrappy performance of Truckin' which catches fire briefly during the outro, Garcia ripping a fine lead.
Good Lovin' is a solid performance, but it's evident that this shows is lacking in jamming. The reprise heats up just after the drum break and there is an exhilarating passage during Pig's rap starting at about 6:45 but unfortunately they don't stick with it. (95 pts)

A real treat and fantastic quality. Forever intact and clear. Thanks for all the hard work for this gem.

Thanks, Chris, or trailmix, or whoever...this is just the dandiest treat!
Hey now!
:-D